Naka Drotskè has finally shown his cards, when he announced the squad that will go on tour after this weekend’s match versus the Sharks. The Cheetahs have a gruelling tour facing the current Super 15 champions, the Chiefs, the Highlanders and the Waratahs on consecutive weekends, before winding down their tour with a match against the Western Force. Naka has selected a squad of 26 players to go on tour, with the versatility and experience seemingly the decider in some positions. As expected, bok hooker Adriaan Strauss will captain the side.
Toyota Cheetahs Touring Squad:
Loosehead Props: Trevor Nyakane and Caylib Oosthuizen
Hookers: Adriaan Strauss and Rayno Barnes
Tighthead Props: Coenie Oosthuizen and Lourens Adriaanse
Locks: Lood de Jager, Francois Uys, and Waltie Vermeulen
Flanks: Heinrich Brüssow, Frans Viljoen, Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo
Eigthman: Phillip van der Walt
Scrumhalves: Piet van Zyl and Sarel Pretorius
Flyhalves: Johan Goosen and Elgar Watts
Centres: Robert Ebersohn, Johann Sadie, and Barry Geel
Wings: Willie le Roux, Raymond Rhule and Ryno Benjamin
Fullback: Henni Daniller
Utility Back: Riaan Smit (Flyhalf, Wing and Fullback)
Players that didn’t make the touring squad will be released to play Vodacom Cup. For the Cheetahs, they get Rossouw de Klerk, Hercu Liebenberg, Davon Raubenheimer, Tewis de Bruyn, Joubert Engelbrecht and Andries Ferreira (injured) back. Griquas get Francois Brummer, Ligtoring Landman and Rocco Jansen back. The promising Hansie Graaff of the Griffons also didn’t get selected, with the more experienced Smit being prefered.
VRYSTAAT!
Coenie at Tighthead,
Big mistake in my opinion.
@ Stormersboy:
I don’t know. What is your reason for that assessment. To my knowledge, Coenie has played only a few games as a TH. It is a specialist position, but he played TH at scholl. His shift to LH was to ease him into senior rugby.
I reckon we will better be able to assess his prowess after the season reaches the halfway mark. He can alkways shift back to LH, as Adriaanse is there, and Nyakane can play both sides.
@ Cheetah4eva:
I say that because Coenie is coming back from a fairly serious injury and to make any shift at this time could endanger his rehab, and also because I cannot remember any international class prop who can play both positions well. Those that can play both sides typically do neither well (like CJ).
I know there is a shortage of TH’s but there is a big risk here. Coenie wasn’t the strongest scrummager at LH to start with, he’s more impressive in play than at set pieces IMO.
@ Stormersboy:
Fair enough, I will watch with interest
4 @ Stormersboy:Jason Leonard, Balie Swart, Gary Pagel, Eddie Andrews, Lawrence Sephaka………….the list goes on and on.
@ Loosehead:
None of those guys played both positions with any success, and with any consistency at senior level as far as I know.
@ Stormersboy:
As I said, Coenie was a TH, it was a move to LH, just to ease him into senior rugby. Time will tell if he can make the grade. I justr think it’s premature to label him a week TH, after maybe two games?
@ Cheetah4eva:
Look, I would be more than happy if he does well at TH as that position is always in short supply, so sure, let him have a crack at it and see how he goes..
🙂
Coenie is a monster, he can propably pack down on both sides same time, nuff said
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